Zero tillage: a potential technology for the wise utilization of cogonal hilly areas in the Philippines for corn production
1989
Pamplona, P.P. | Sarmiento, R.O. | Tinapay, S.S.
The Philippines has million of hectares cogonal areas which are either unutilized or improperly used for food production. Several experiments were carried out since 1985 to identify herbicides suitable for preplanting control of cogon (Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeuschel) in fields planted to corn under zero tillage condition. Herbicides identified include glyphosate, glyphosate + ammonium sulfate, sethoxydim and glufosinate ammonium. These herbicides, when sprayed 1-4 weeks before sowing of corn, provided effective control of cogon without any phytotoxic effect to the crop. Application of atrazine either combined or as follow-up to the above postemergence herbicides provided effective control of pre-emerging weeds. To overcome the difficulty in planting corn in zero tillage, 2 equipment were developed, namely: the manually operated jabber and the animal drawn seeder and fertilizer applicator combined. The jabber allowed 10 man-days to plant a hectare. It took 2 to 3 days to plant a hectare using the animal drawn seeder and fertilizer applicator combined depending on the soil moisture and thickness of the vegetation. Yields of corn grown in zero tillage condition are similar to those obtained in conventional tillage.
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